Coconut Flour Cake with coconut Frosting

Coconut flour cake has quickly become our stand-by, a staple of birthday celebrations.  With a flavor and texture reminiscent of classic yellow cake, this coconut flour cake is a welcome and nourishing alternative to all that refined flour and sugar.   So when my son turned five recently, I knew just what cake I’d make to celebrate that momentous occasion. As an added benefit, the cake is free from grains, gluten and dairy products without compromising flavor or texture, meaning that it’s a good dessert for family, friends and guests who may suffer from common food allergies.  If you liked the coconut bread, you’ll really enjoy this cake.

Why Use Coconut Flour for Your Cake

Rich in protein and fiber, coconut flour produces a filling and nutrient-dense cake.  Typical birthday party fare includes candies, sugary sodas and cakes loaded with white flour, white sugar, hydrogenated fats and powdered sugar.  It’s easy to rationalize it: it’s only once a year, the kids deserve their treat.  Yet, all those refined carbohydrates come at a great cost to little bodies and developing metabolisms.  As any parent who’s attended his or her share of children’s birthday parties knows that the after the sweetness of a birthday cake wears off, the craziness sets in.  Little bodies, and big bodies for that matter, just aren’t prepared to handle such an intense rush of refined carbohydrates and manufactured fats.  We love healthy treats for kids at Nourished Kitchen, and this gluten-free cake is no exception.

A coconut flour cake, by contrast to traditional birthday cakes, helps to provide better nourishment through protein- and fiber-rich flour coupled with pastured eggs rich in vitamins and nourishing fats.  While sweetened by honey, thanks to its rich assortment of proteins, fiber and fat, it still lacks the sugar rush associated with other flour- and sugar-rich cakes, making it a perfect choice for a child’s birthday party.

Similarly, the coconut frosting that accompanies coconut flour cake is also sweetened only by a touch of honey.  It lacks the powdered sugar, a combination of sugar and starch, found in most frostings so this coconut frosting is light and fluffy in texture, and it melts readily, so keep the frosted cake chilled in the refrigerator until it’s ready to serve.

Using Coconut Flour

Extremely absorbent, coconut flour benefits from a high ratio of liquid ingredients to flour, and eggs provide the cake with plenty of moistness and a boost of nutrition.  You can learn more about baking with coconut flour here.

Where to Find Coconut Flour for Your Cake

You can find coconut flour, coconut oil and coconut milk at most well-stocked health food stores; however, you can also purchase coconut flour and coconut oil online.